Phrase
/fʁaz/
The English word 'phrase' is translated into French as Phrase.
Which one should you use?
Be aware that Phrase is a false friend to English speakers. While in English a phrase is a short fragment of words, in French it typically refers to a complete sentence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Phrase is feminine, so you would use the feminine article la or une (for example, une phrase means 'a sentence').
How do you pronounce it?
/fʁaz/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse Phrase with the English meaning of a short word group. If you mean a single sentence, use Phrase, but if you mean the way a musical passage or spoken line is rhythmically shaped, the correct word is phrasé.
Did you know?
- In French, the term phrase is used in linguistics to describe the largest unit of syntax, whereas English uses 'phrase' to describe one of the smallest.
- The word phrase descends from the Greek verb phrázō, which meant 'to tell' or 'to express'.
- In French poetry, a phrase is not just a grammatical unit but can be a structural building block that spans multiple lines of a poem.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, où est la gare?Excuse me, where is the train station?
- Où est le supermarché le plus proche?Where is the nearest supermarket?
- Je suis ravi(e) de vous rencontrer.I am pleased to meet you.
- Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez?What do you recommend?
- Je ne comprends pas cette phrase.I do not understand this phrase.
- Peux-tu répéter cette phrase ?Can you repeat this phrase?
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are studying a French textbook together.
- GabrielEmma, est-ce que cette phrase est correcte ?Emma, is this phrase correct?
- EmmaOui, cette phrase est parfaite.Yes, this phrase is perfect.
- GabrielD'accord, je vais l'écrire dans mon cahier.Okay, I will write it in my notebook.
- EmmaC'est une très bonne idée.That is a very good idea.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry phrase.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries phrase, CC BY-SA 4.0.
